IMAGE OF THE DAY

Filipino and US troops on the move inside the Philippine Army's 104th Brigade headquarters in Jolo.

RP-US Balikatan 2006 in Sulu ends

text & photos HADER GLANG

US troops wrapped up the controversial anti-terrorism exercises with Filipino counterparts on Jolo island in the southern Philippines just as President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo lifted her declaration of a state national emergency on Friday.

At the farewell ceremony in Jolo airport, Colonel James Linder, commander of the Joint Special Operations Task Force-Philippines, said a total of $4 million US dollars worth of medical assistance and various infrastructure projects have been spent for the Balikatan exercise 2006.

“In just eleven days, our personnel and AFP health care workers have provided humanitarian and medical assistance to over 11,000 patients here in this island,” Linder told Sulu local officials in a speech at Jolo airport.

He called on the Filipinos to help rebuild what has been destroyed in the past and heal the old wounds and unite the people for the prosperity of the country.

Lieutenant Colonel Eddie Paruchabutr, spokesman for the US civic military action based in Jolo town, described the joint Balikatan as a successful aimed at helping Tausugs overcome poverty in the Muslim dominated island province.

“Some of our forces have started a partial pullout. The remaining personnel would continue with other infrastructure projects as part of Project Bayanihan,” he said.

Sulu Governor Benjamin Loong thanked the Americans for pouring in about P300 millions dollars worth of infrastructure projects, humanitarian, civic and medical assistance to various parts in his province.

“The Americans are always in our heart and rest assured that you are always welcome in Sulu. The end of ‘Balikatan’ 2006 will hopefully pave the way for the ‘Bayanihan’,” Loong said.

The conduct of Balikatan in Sulu was marred with protest from some Muslim Tausugs, who said they would not forget the March 1906 attack on Bud Dajo by American soldiers, where at least 600 people were killed in the crater of that extinct volcano. (ZS)